30 Chapter 30 (2/2)
”Well if you don't mind Ritka my friend, I won't be fighting you in this round. So make sure you survive so we can match our prowess in the next phase!”
Strem managed to say before the announcer's voice drowned out any and all sound. From the corner of his eye he saw Ritka mouthing the word friend.
”Round Four of the open fielded bronze tournament is about to start! This one looks to be interesting folks, we have a half giant, twins of the Giants of the red sand, and many more!”
Everybody took a ready stance, ”Three, Two, One, START” The announcer roared.
”EVERYONE!” A tall, handsome blond man shouted, everyone froze and stared at him.
”How about we team up to defeat that giant, I doubt any of us can defeat him in single combat, if we team up to beat him now we stand a better chance of proceeding later in the tournament!”
The blond young-man already had a sizeable group of others around him. Other groups started talking amongst themselves before one dark skinned man stepped forward, ”We agree! My group will join.” Five similarly dark-skinned topless men behind him nodded their consent, soon others started agreeing and they circled around the giant and Strem.
Ritka stood up, glaring at the warriors around him, an eager smile splitting his face in half.
”Just so you know, I'm on the Giants side! Fighting against a hundred sounds much more interesting than fighting with a hundred against one!” Strem shouted unsheathing his rapier, and grinning at the warriors around him.
A roaring laughter was heard from the crowd, as a red skinned man stepped forward, atleast three meters tall, a woman looking nearly identical to him stood next to him. ”You have the right of it, I think I'll join that side!” He said walking over to them. Another figure stepped forward from the crowd, this one probably a girl with a blank mask tied in front of her face, she was wielding two of those katana things. She bowed to Strem, Ritka and the twins, and joined them in facing the rest.
”What an upheaval! IT SEEMS WE HAVE A GROUP BATTLE, To make things interesting, the Master of Blades has decided that the group that survives this round will proceed to the next phase! If you die but your group wins the fight then you will be allowed to proceed to the next phase!” The announcer took a deep breath, ”This is why I love my job ladies and gents, things always get interesting!”
The audience roared in answer, excited to see the battle.
The men surrounding them roared in answer, excited at their increased chance to pass the first phase. The blond man unsheathed his sword and pointed at Strem's group, ”Chaaaaarge!” He roared.
The men surrounding them charged forward, Strem dashed towards the nearest one, using every ounce of his ability in a lightning quick lunge. His opponent tried to react but the rapier pierced through his eye, hitting the brain, the body exploded into a shower of lights, disappearing from the field. Another warrior slashed at him, he slipped past the blade and poked a hole in his throat. The warrior collapsed to the ground hands clutching at his thtoat but did not disappear. Another warrior attacked him, this one wielding a scimitar, he was rather skilled with the weapon as well, forcing Strem to take a few steps back. Out of nowhere a body slammed into his opponent both of them disappearing in an explosion of lights.
He gave Ritka a thumbs up, ”Nice throw!” The giant laughed, grabbing the gigantic ax he had tied to his back and started mowing through the enemies, killing one or two with every swing. From the corner of his eyes he saw the twins both wielding a sword and shield, dancing between their enemies, fluidly moving in to cover each others openings without any sort of communication. Both of them had a huge grin on their faces, screams from the other side drew his attention, as the masked woman floated through her opponents, leaving nothing but floating lights in her wake. For a second he was stunned by the beautiful performance of her blades. This was not simple fighting, he had no other words to describe it, this was art, the battle field her canvas and the swords her brush.
Strem shook his head focusing back on the task at hand, there were plenty of opponents left to fight, and they were starting to work together.